AMHERST, N.S. — Despite a delay brought on by the provincial election last year, a $700,000 study into finding ways to protect vital transportation and communication links between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia is going forward.
While disappointed it took so long, Amherst Mayor David Kogon is pleased to see the tender call.
“There were delays that we weren’t happy about it, but understand why with the change in government in New Brunswick and the fact it took longer to come together,” Kogon said. “Fact is, this is a threat that needs to be dealt with and this is a big first step.”
Kogon expects the study will be complete by the end of 2020 or early 2021.
He believes the study will be very specific about what needs to be done.
The Amherst mayor said it’s a great example of inter-municipal co-operation across a provincial border on an issue that’s of concern to both provinces.
“The three of us took the lead in bringing this to the MPs on both sides and pushing the project forward because of the direct and indirect impacts of sea level rise on our constituents and communities,” Kogon said. “This is something we felt had to happen and we’re thrilled that the RFP has finally gone out.”
The New Brunswick government recently issued a request for proposals from engineering firms to come up with three options for viable, resilient solution to protect the rail line and Trans-Canada Highway and the dikes that run along the isthmus between Sackville and Amherst, N.S.
“It’s good news that there has been a call for tenders,” Sackville Mayor John Higham said. “We will see what comes from it. I’m looking forward to seeing the results from that study when it’s completed.”
In May 2018, Cumberland-Colchester MP Bill Casey announced the study that’s being funded through a $2-billion, 11-year Trade and Transportation Initiative. The federal government is funding $350,000 with the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia each contributing $175,000.
Higham is optimistic of what the study, when it’s completed, will come up for solutions.
“The terms of reference they put out made it clear they want three different solutions from whoever gets the contract. What those solutions are, are wide open,” he said. “They make a reference that clearly the exiting dike and aboiteau system will be part of the response, but they are looking for innovative solutions along with what the cost and technology required are.”
Higham said it’s a positive first step toward finding a long-term solution and he’s pleased the request for proposals has listed his community, Amherst and the Municipality of Cumberland as stakeholders in the study.
The mayor said the next challenge, after the study’s conclusion, will be convincing the federal and provincial governments to provide the funding for whatever solutions are suggested.
“Myself, the mayor of Amherst and the warden of Cumberland County have been very adamant that once you know that solution you need to set aside anything about cost-shared infrastructure and find a way to get it done,” Higham said. “That will be a question of political willingness at the senior levels of government.”
He expects the municipalities to be involved and would not be surprised if they’re asked for some funding, but feels the solution is something that will be of a cost much higher than the three municipal units could pay on their own.
Higham, Kogon and Cumberland County Warden Allison Gillis met with Beausejour MP Dominic LeBlanc and Casey in October 2017 to start the process in hopes of upgrading the infrastructure along the marsh connecting the two provinces.
Casey has been working on the issue since 2009, when he saw a UN report saying the Isthmus of Chignecto and New Orleans were among the areas most at risk of global sea level rise brought on by climate change.
The Cumberland-Colchester MP said the isthmus is a vital transportation link that carries an estimated $80 million in trade each day.
He said the CN rail line that runs across the Tantramar Marshes connecting the two provinces is holding back the Bay of Fundy while the highway is below sea level. If they dikes are breached, he said, it would cost millions in damages and would not be a quick fix.
“It’s a situation that’s becoming more precarious instead of less precarious as we move through time and there’s no question that this area needs this,” Casey said. “I think everyone realizes something needs to be done and once the study is done the governments cannot not do anything.”
Casey said the Bay of Fundy, at times, comes right up to the level of the rail line and there are times when driftwood has been found on the tracks.
“It’s something that has to be addressed,” said Casey, who is retiring as an MP in October but will continue to follow the issue closely.
